“Run, Frank, run!” screamed a score of voices, and Frank legged it for first, reaching the bag before Joe Jackson in left field could run up and redeem Bricktop’s error by stopping the rolling ball.
“Never mind, two down—play for the batter,” advised Dutch in a signal to Tom, and the pitcher nodded comprehendingly. Ned Williams, who followed Sullivan, knocked two fouls, both of which Dutch tried hard to get, but could not. Then Tom struck him out with a puzzling drop, and a goose egg went up on the score board for Fairview.
“Guess they’re not finding us as soft as they expected,” remarked Holly Cross, as his side came in.
“It’s early yet,” advised Tom. “Wait until about the fifth inning, and then talk.”
“Do you wish to spank me?” asked Bricktop, as he came up to Tom, looking sorrowful over his error.
“Don’t do it again, that’s all,” said Coach Leighton.
“Not for worlds,” promised the red-haired shortstop.